(Please see my overview of 2018 in the Côte d’ Or here.)
François Millet said that harvesting began on 30 August. Out of caution not to over extract, only the Bonnes-Mares received punch downs (pigeage), and yet these wines are notable for their dark opaque colors. Alcohols range from 13.5º to 14º. Yields were about 20% less than in 2017, roughly 30 hl/ha vs. 35 hl/ha. In order to delay malolactic fermentation, the cellars were air conditioned, but it was necessary to go down to 5º C (41º F) to accomplish the delay.
Millet says that 2018 is a vintage that is out of time, and as such it must not become a benchmark for judging other vintages.
This is one of the most memorable cellars that I visited while tasting 2018s.